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Upgradation of Barak Missile System

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Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM), upgraded version of Barak Missile System, are being jointly developed / produced by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IAI, Israel.

LR-SAM

Project has an estimated cost of Rs.2606.02 Crore for which contract was signed on 27th January 2006. It has a range of 70 Km. Home on Target (HOT) test has conducted successfully in November 2014. HOT-2 test was also conducted in Israel successfully on 23rd November 2015. Two Operational Flight Trials (OFT) have been conducted successfully from INS Kolkata on 29th December 2015.

MR-SAM

Project has an estimated cost of Rs.10075.68 Crore for which contract was signed on 27th February 2009. Built-to-specification (BTS) has been finalized. Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews of the system have been completed. DRDO has recently flight tested 3 MR-SAM systems successfully at ITR, Chandipur during 30th June / 1st July 2016.

LR-SAM / MR-SAM: can detect incoming enemy aerial targets i.e. aircraft or anti-ship missile over 100 km away and destroy them at range out to 70 km and thus provide the air defence capability to the assets of Indian Armed Forces.

Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals Scheme started by AYUSH

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CCRYN-indianbureaucracy

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik has conveyed that Yoga and Naturopathy systems are seen to have positive impact on the health and well-being of those who practice them regularly. Many lifestyle and other diseases can be well managed by the regular practice of Yoga.

Yoga has been practiced in different parts of the world irrespective of whether rural or urban area. Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH through Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), an autonomous organization under this Ministry has implemented One Month Yoga Camp Programme in all the districts of the country to celebrate International Day of Yoga from 21st May to 21st June, 2016 which indicates that people from rural or urban areas have attended this Yoga camp in large number.

Ministry of AYUSH does not appoint yoga teachers. However, the Ministry facilitates the appointment of such teachers in the private and public sectors through its Scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals. First phase of the Scheme to certify Yoga teachers was launched on June 22, 2015. The Scheme is being operated by the Quality Council of India (QCI), an apex quality facilitation and accreditation body, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Government of India has approved the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) which, inter-alia, envisages better access to AYUSH services including Yoga and strengthening of AYUSH educational institutions.

Delhi NCR under severe Seismic Zone

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Seismic Zone_indianbureaucracy

As per Bureau of Indian Standards [IS-1893 (Part- 1): 2002], based on the past seismic history, Delhi lies in Zone-IV that has fairly high seismic city where the general occurrence of earthquakes is of 5-6 magnitude and occasionally of higher magnitude. Delhi lies among the high-risk areas.

A state-of-the-art 16 station Seismic Telemetry System is already in operation by National Centre for Seismology (NCS) to detect and locate earthquakes in and around Delhi.  The data generated by this network is useful in understanding the changing profile of seismicity and seismotectonics of the Region.  NCS has also completed the seismic microzonation of Delhi-NCR on 1:10,000 scale, that provides additional inputs relating to the effects of the underlying soil in the assessment of damage potential. These seismic microzonation maps have become useful in land use planning and formulation of site specific design and construction criteria for the buildings and structures towards minimizing the damage to property and loss of life caused by earthquakes.

In a pilot mode, studies have been taken up for Delhi region through rapid visual screening (RVS) of assessing the structural safety of buildings due to existing complex socio cultural and built environment encompassing vide range of dwelling units from non engineered units with traditional skill to the most modern buildings. Essentially RVS procedure considers different building types that are most commonly found in India. Whereas the building categories considered for the purpose includes Type A, Type B, Type C and Type X categories as detailed in Annexure-1.

By imparting professional training to the Engineers of the civic bodies, Delhi Government is enhancing the technical capabilities of field engineering wings to survey potentially weak buildings. Guidelines for improving Earthquake Resistance of Low Strength Masonry Buildings (IS 13828:1993) that covers the special features of design and construction for improving earthquake resistance of buildings of low-strength masonry are already in force to supplement these efforts.

Guidelines have also been published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) etc. for the design and construction of earthquake resistant structures to minimize the loss of life and damage to property caused by earthquakes (Annexure II). These guidelines are in wide circulation amongst the public and the administrative authorities responsible for the design and construction of earthquake resistant structures in earthquake prone areas.

Ministry of Home Affairs has taken steps to see that all new buildings constructed under various National and State schemes should be made earthquake resistant (as per the Bureau of Indian Standards detailed at Annexure-III) in the first instant so that no new additions to the stock of existing unsafe buildings are made.

Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has prepared a Handbook of Siesmic Retrofit of Buildings for existing buildings that do not meet the seismic strength requirement.

This was stated by the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Annexure-I

Building Category

Type·A Rural structures bamboo reinforced Biomass wall cladding, thatched/CI Sheet roof, un·burnt brick house, Assam Type Houses in timber frame.
Type·B Brick Masonry Wall 6″X6″ to 10″X10″ Corner columns with lintel bend and tie, timber trussed CI sheet roof, buildings of the large block and prefabricated type, half-timbered structures, building in natural hewn stone.
Type·C Reinforced Concrete Building- Engineered & Non-Engineered With beam, column & slab construction, well built wooden structures.
Type·X: Other types not covered in A, B,C.

RDS/ss

Annexure-II

Brochures and Guidelines published by Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) & Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC)  for construction and retrofitting of buildings:

  1. Brochure for mitigating damage to dwellings (in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya and Bengali by HUDCO).
  2. Brochures on house construction in Jabalpur and Chamoli earthquake-affected areas (in Hindi, by HUDCO).
  3. Retrofitting of stone houses in Marathwada area of Maharashtra, (BMTPC), 1994.
  4. Guidelines for repair, strengthening and reconstruction of houses damaged in the 30 September, 1993 earthquake in Maharashtra (Government of    Maharashtra), 1994.
  5. Earthquake and Building, A guidebook to understand the relationship between the two, (TARU), 1994.
  6. Build Your Home with Earthquake Protection, (BMTPC), 1995.
  7. Guidelines 1 – Earthquake-resistant construction of houses in Jabalpur earthquake-affected areas (in Hindi, English, BMTPC), 1997.
  8. Guidelines 2 – Repair and retrofitting of damaged houses in Jabalpur earthquake-affected areas (in Hindi, English, BMTPC), 1997.
  9. Guidelines 1 – Visual Damage Identification for Chamoli earthquake-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh (in Hindi, English, BMTPC), 1999.
  10. Guidelines 2 – Repair and retrofitting of damaged houses in Chamoli earthquake-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh (in Hindi, English, BMTPC), 1999.
  11. Guidelines 3 – Reconstruction and New Construction of Buildings in Chamoli earthquake-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh (in Hindi, English, BMTPC), 1999.

Annexure-III

LIST OF RELEVANT INDIAN STANDARDS ON EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

S.No. IS No. Title
*1 IS 1893: 1984 Criteria for earthquake resistant design of Structures
2 IS 1893(Part 1): 2002 Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures: Part 1 General Provisions and buildings.
*3 IS 1893(Part 4) : 2005 Criteria for earthquake resistant design of Structures: Part 4 Industrial structures including stack like structures.
*4

IS 436:1993

Code of practice for earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings5

IS 4991:1968

Criteria for blast resistant design of structures for explosions above ground6

IS 6922:1973Criteria for safety and design of structures subject to underground blasts7IS 13827: 1993Improving earthquake resistance of earthen building – Guidelines8

IS 13828:1993Improving earthquake resistance of low strength masonry building – Guidelines9IS 13920:1993

Ductile detailing of reinforced concrete structures subjected to seismic forces- code of practice.10

IS 13935: 2009Seismic evaluation repair and strengthening of masonry buildings – Guidelines

* Under Revision

FINALISED DRAFTS UNDER PRINT

S.No. DOC Number Title
1

DOC.CED 39 (7231)Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures; Part Liquid Retaining Tanks2

DOC.CED 39 (7620)Seismic Evaluation and Strengthening of Exiting Reinforced Concrete Building – Guidelines.3

DOC.CED 39 (7620)Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction of Building – Code of Practice (Third revision of IS 4326)4

DOC.CED 39 (7739)

Draft Indian Standards criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures: Part 3 Bridges and Retaining Walls.

A K Mital reappointed Chairman of Railway Board for a period of 2 years

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A-K-Mittal_crb_indianbureaucracy

The current Chairman Railway Board Shri A.K.Mital has been reappointed as the new Chairman, Railway Board for a period of 2 years i.e. till he attains the age of 62 years, w.e.f. 01.08.2016.

Shri A.K. Mital was appointed as Chairman, Railway Board on 31st December 2014. Prior to this appointment, Shri A.K.Mital was Member Staff, Railway Board. Earlier, he served as General Manager of South Western Railway-SWR (Headquarters Hubli) and was also looking after the additional charge of General Manager, South Central Railway- SCR (Headquarters Secunderabad).

Born on 7th July 1956, Shri Mital is a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.). An Officer of 1976 batch of Indian Railways Service of Stores (IRSS), Shri A.K. Mital has worked on various important posts on Indian Railways. He was Director/Stores, Executive Director/Vigilance and Executive Director/Stores in Railway Board, Ministry of Railways. He has worked as Chief Material Manager in Northern Railway.

He was Divisional Railway Manager of Izzatnagar Division in North Eastern Railway and Controller of Stores in South Central Railway/Secunderabad and Diesel Locomotive Works/Varanasi. Before joining Railway Board as Member Staff, he was General Manager of South Western Railway/Hubli. He has also held additional charge of three major Railways viz., Southern Railway, South Central Railway and Central Railway as General Manager for more than 12 months. Shri Mital has undergone training in USA and France.

Drugs/Cosmetics Act being recast to reflect new trends, changes

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FICCI
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The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, drafted in 1940, is being amended to reflect recent trends and changes, such as e-pharmacies, Shri K B Aggarwal, Additional Secretary (Food and Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said .
Shri Aggarwal, who was addressing a session on e-pharmacy in India organised by the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said the current law fails to distinguish between offline and online pharmacies, a gap that needs to be filled.
He added that while online pharmacies ease patients’ lives, concerns around legitimacy of e-pharmacies, patients’ safety and privacy, misuse of e-pharmacy and adverse effect on retailers’ businesses need to be addressed through guidelines for e-business.
Manisha Shridhar, Regional Adviser, World Health Organisation, said that India can learn from and establish standards used in the European Union, where legitimate online pharmacies will have to carry a logo.
The government is drafting the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 2016, to reflect the current regulatory hurdles around safety, efficacy and quality of drugs and the pharmacy sector is a priority, said Shri Eswara Reddy, Joint Drugs Controller, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

J N Singh appointed Gujarat Chief Secretary

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J N Singh_indianbureaucracy
J N Singh_indianbureaucracy

Dr Jagdip Narayan Singh IAS (Gujarat 83)  presently holding multiple charges in the Gujarat Government has been appointed as Chief Secretary. Shri J N Singh replaces Shri Ganga Ram Aloria IAS (Gujarat 81) on his retirement from the service.

IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Shri Singh the very best.

Tourists from across the world must visit India to see Tiger

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International Tiger day_indianbureaucracyInternational Tiger day_indianbureaucracy
International Tiger day_indianbureaucracy

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave has exhorted tourists from across the world to come to India to see the Tiger. Speaking at a function to celebrate the International Tiger Day , the Minister urged upon the students to conserve tigers. Shri Dave pointed out that students from various schools have gathered here today, because they all are themselves Tigers. He said that people in India love the Tiger and added that by conserving the Tigers, India has 2, 226 Tigers, which constitutes 70% of the population of Tigers the world over.

The Environment Minister said that the Tigers are spread out in over 17 States and 49 sanctuaries across the country. He stated that a healthy Tiger is a symbol of healthy environment. Shri Dave expressed the hope that India will be able to double the population of its Tigers by 2022 by conserving and caring for the Tigers. He also emphasized that India is contributing significantly towards achieving the St. Petersburg target, commonly referred to as T X 2. The Minister also administered a pledge for tiger conservation to the gathering of students. Later, the Minister later flagged off the ‘Walk for Tiger’.

Due to the ongoing conservation efforts under Project Tiger, India has the maximum number of tigers, along with its source areas, amongst the 13 Tiger Range Countries in the world. The status of wild tiger across Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) continues to remain endangered. Though there have been some gains in the population build-up in some TRCs like India, Nepal, Bhutan and Russia, the global scenario is a major cause for concern. Tigers have become locally extinct in some TRCs and the status of prey, as well as the habitat, has declined in many. The heads of Governments of Tiger Range countries which inter alia includes India, have resolved to strive to double the number of wild tigers (T X 2) across their range by 2022 and adopted the St. Petersburg Resolution on Tiger Conservation, at St Petersburg, Russia, wherein July 29 was endorsed as Global Tiger Day.

In his welcome remarks, Additional Director General, Forests, Shri B.S Bonal said that children are the custodians of the future and their presence, on the occasion, shows their love for Tiger. Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha and officers of MoEFCC and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as well as conservation partners, besides hundreds of school students from Delhi NCR were among those present on the occasion.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority, along with conservation partners organized the “Walk for the Tiger”. The event had been organized in collaboration with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Global Tiger Forum, WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India, TRAFFIC, Kids for Tigers and Aircel.

Pledge for Tiger conservation

I recognize and value,

That tiger is an umbrella species with charisma, and is the flagship indicator of a balanced ecosystem;

That a balanced ecosystem is crucial for life support, while providing numerous ecological services to the society;

Being aware that the status of wild tiger is highly endangered in its natural habitat across Tiger Range Countries with a declining global population;

I hereby solemnly pledge:

To protect the tiger and its wild habitat to ensure crucial ecological services for posterity;

To contribute for fostering awareness for tiger conservation by factoring in its concern in areas where tiger is not the goal;

To work for a balance between tiger conservation and ecologically sustainable development towards harmonious co-occurrence of human beings and the tiger;

Commit to conserve our natural heritage while making all efforts for the future sustenance of wild tiger.

Automotive Mission Plan 2016-26

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Automotive Mission_plan_indianbureaucracy

The Automotive Mission Plan [AMP 2026] envisages creation of 65 million jobs.

The salient features of the Automotive Mission Plan 2016-26 [AMP 2026] are:-
i) The Indian Automotive industry to be a top job creator – 65 million additional jobs.

ii) The Indian Automotive industry to be the prime mover of Manufacturing sector and “Make in India” Programme.
iii) The Indian Automotive industry to aim at increasing exports of vehicles by 5 times and components by 7.5 times.
iv) For success of AMP 2026, there is a need of coordinated and stable policy regime for the automotive sector.
v) Specific interventions are envisaged to sustain and improve manufacturing competitiveness and to address challenges of environment and safety.

Simplified Central Excise norms for Jewellery Sector notified

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Central Excise_indianbureaucracy

In this year’s Budget, central excise duty of 1% without input and capital goods tax credit or 12.5% with credit was imposed on articles of jewellery falling under heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff 1985. Subsequent to that, the Government had set up a Sub-Committee of the High Level Committee, headed by Dr. Ashok Lahiri to interact with Trade & Industry on issues relating to procedure and compliance relating to excise duty of articles of jewellery.

The Sub-Committee has given its report on 23.06.2016, which has been accepted by the Government . In this connection, the Central Government has issued following notifications and circulars to give effect to the Sub-Committee’s recommendations:

  1. Notifications issued:
Notification No. Gist of notifications
26/2016 – Central Excise

Seeks to amend notification No. 12/2012-Central Excise so as to prescribe 1% excise duty (without input and capital goods credit) on parts of articles of jewellery falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986), and to prescribe a criteria for classification of an articles of jewellery or part of articles of jewellery or both as that of a particular precious metal.27/2016 – Central Excise

Seeks to partially exempt Central Excise duty on articles of jewelleryfalling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) manufactured by:

(a)    re-conversion of jewellery given by the retail customer, or

(b)     mounting of precious stone given by the retail customer.28/2016 – Central ExciseSeeks to amend notification No. 8/2003-Central Excise dated 1st March, 2003, so as to increase for articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986):

(a)         the SSI Exemption limit from Rs. 6 crore to Rs. 10 crore; and

(b)        the SSI Eligibility limit from Rs. 12 crore to Rs. 15 crore.29/2016 – Central ExciseSeeks to amend notification No. 17/2011-Central Excise, dated the 1stMarch, 2011, so as to exclude handicrafts falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986), from the purview of excise duty exemption for “handicrafts”.

33/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to notify, for articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986),

(a)    for articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both (other than those which are manufactured from the precious metal provided by the retail customer), the first sale value, that is the value at which such articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, are sold for the first time, as the tariff value;

(b)   for articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both manufactured from the precious metal provided by the retail customer, the value which is sum of,-

i.        the cost of additional materials used by the manufacturer or principal manufacturer, as the case may be, for making such articles of jewellery;

ii.      the labour charges charged by the manufacturer or principal manufacturer, as the case may be, from the retail customer; and

iii.    the value of precious metal provided by the retail customer,

as the tariff value.34/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to notify the Articles of Jewellery (Collection of Duty) Rules, 2016, applicable to articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986). These rules, inter-alia, provide manner of payment of Central Excise duty on articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, including an optional scheme for payment of such Excise duty.35/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to amend the Central Excise Rules, 2002 in relation to articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986), so as to:

i.        provide that the quarterly return (ER.8) will also apply to the manufacturers or principal manufacturers of parts of articles of jewellery, falling under heading 7113;

ii.      prescribe that the date of submission of quarterly return, for manufacturers or principal manufacturers of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113, for quarter ending on 31st March, 2016, and quarter ending on 30th June, 2016, shall be the 10th August, 2016; and

iii.    as separate rules are being prescribed for articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both falling under heading 7113 of the said Schedule to the said Tariff Act, applicability of Rule 12AA is being restricted to articles of precious metals falling under heading 7114.36/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to amend the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004 in relation to articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986), so as to include a principal manufacturer of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both as manufacturer for the purposes of the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004.37/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to provide a modified format for quarterly return, ER-8, for return of excisable goods cleared at the Central Excise duty rate of 1% [including articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113] or 2%.38/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to amend notification No. 35/2001-Central Excise (N.T.) so as to:

(i)            provide that a person engaged in the manufacture of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under chapter heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) may get himself registered by 31st day of July, 2016;

(ii)          exempt a person engaged in the manufacture of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under chapter heading 7113 of the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) from the requirement to submit plan of the factory premises under simplified registration procedure.39/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to amend notification No. 17/2006-Central Excise (N.T) dated the 1st August, 2006 so as to exempt a manufacturer or principal manufacturer of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) from filing of annual return.40/2016 – Central Excise (N.T.)Seeks to amend notification No. 36/2001-Central Excise (N.T.) dated 26th June, 2001, so as to exempt a manufacturer or principal manufacturer of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both, falling under heading 7113 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) from taking central excise registration upto the full exemption limit, which is being increased to Rs. 10 Crore.43/2016 – CustomsSeeks to exempt organic sugar upto a quantity of 10,000 MT in a year, from export duty subject to specified conditions.

 

  1. Circulars issued:
Circular No. Gist of circulars
1040/28/2016 – CX

 Clarification on computation of exemption and eligibility and exemption limits and other related issues for small scale industries [SSI] exemption under Notification No. 8/2003-CE dated 1st March 2003 in respect manufacturer or principal manufacturer of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both.1041/29/2016 – CXGuidelines for Excise Audit of Manufacturers / Principal Manufacturers of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery1042/30/2016 – CXExport related procedural simplifications – excise duty on articles of jewellery falling under heading 7113.1043/31/2016 – CXGeneral procedures regarding excise duty on articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both falling under heading 7113.1044/32/2016 – CXGuidelines for issue of summons, visits, search, seizure, arrest and prosecution regarding manufacturers or principal manufacturers of articles of jewellery or parts of articles of jewellery or both.1045/33/2016 – CXTaxability of stock on February 29, 2016 – Excise duty imposition on articles of jewellery in the Budget 2016-17.

All these notifications and circulars along with Joint Secretary (TRU-I)’ D.O. on the subject, can be downloaded from the CBEC website. http://www.cbec.gov.in/

There is something about those energy drinks !!

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science indianbureaucracy
science indianbureaucracy

Summary:Energy drinks combined with alcohol (AmEDs) were once available for purchase as a premixed beverage, until 2010 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that the combination was unsafe. However, the popularity of AmEDs continues to rise, fuelled by private consumers and bartenders. There are a variety of risks associated with AmEDs, including a greater chance of binge drinking than with alcoholic beverages alone. A new study investigated whether consuming high-caffeine energy drinks mixed with alcohol results in a greater desire to drink alcohol than alcohol alone.

Energy drinks combined with alcohol (AmEDs) were once available for purchase as a premixed beverage, until 2010 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that the combination was unsafe. However, the popularity of AmEDs continues to rise, fuelled by private consumers and bartenders. There are a variety of risks associated with AmEDs, including a greater chance of binge drinking than with alcoholic beverages alone. This study investigated whether consuming high-caffeine energy drinks mixed with alcohol results in a greater desire to drink alcohol than alcohol alone.

Researchers invited 26 adult social drinkers (13 males, 13 females) to attend six double-blind sessions that involved drinking alcohol and energy drinks, alone and in combination. On each test day, participants received one of six possible doses: 1) vodka + decaffeinated soft drink, 2) vodka + medium energy drink, 3) vodka + large energy drink, 4) decaffeinated soft drink, 5) medium energy drink, and 6) large energy drink. After each session, the participants rated their desire for alcohol and their breath alcohol concentration was measured.

Results showed that alcohol alone increased the subjective “desire for more alcohol” compared to placebo doses. AmEDs increased the desire for more alcohol beyond that observed with alcohol alone. In summary, this study provides laboratory evidence that AmEDs lead to a greater desire to drink alcohol than the same amount of alcohol consumed alone, and are consistent with animal studies showing that caffeine increases the rewarding and reinforcing properties of alcohol.

More: Science

Two Day Zonal Railways GM Conference

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Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu

A two-day Conference of General Managers of Zonal Railways and Railway Production Units commenced here i.e. 28th July 2016. The Conference was addressed by Minister of Railways Shri Suresh  Prabhu, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications & Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain. Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K. Mital outlined the agenda and objectives of the Conference. The respective Board Members also presented their views at the Conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Railways is currently seeing transformation in a big way. He said that public representatives have a lot of expectations from the Railways and we have to work hard to come upto these expectations. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Railways were expected to bring in socio economic change. In this context, we have been facing a number of challenges. If we have to run it as a commercial enterprise, we cannot fulfill social obligations and if we have to fulfill the social obligations, we cannot run it as a commercial enterprise. But we have to fulfill our social obligations while running this as a commercial enterprise. We need to strike a balance between Japanese and Chinese railway financial models. We have to increase our share of Non fare revenue.

Shri Suresh Prabhu said that we have to constantly find ways to boost both our passenger as well as freight traffic. He pointed out that for the first time the freight rates have been reduced by the Railways to attract traffic. He said that If we do not think about competition, we cannot improve. We should be remarkably sensible in our approach. Speed of operation is important. Something has to be done at the macro level. At the micro level, we should see how the competition is faring, etc. We therefore, have to properly make our pricing policy for both passenger and freight traffic. And at the same time we have to keep long term interest of the railways in mind.

Referring to the need for expansion of the Railway infrastructure, Shri Suresh Prabhu said that “If you want to grow, you need to invest. If you want to invest, you need to find the way.” Money has to come from current income. But nowhere in the world it happens. China invests heavily for the development of their railways. Extra Budgetary resources are necessary for the development of railways. We must also invest in our Railways. We have already begun investment into railways system. If we do not, we cannot grow. This year’s targets not only have to be met but to be exceeded.

He called upon General Managers to be in regular touch with the respective Chief Ministers of the State with a view to facilitate execution of projects in that State. He pointed out that station redevelopment is an important component of non-fare revenue which is not possible without State Govt. support.

Referring to the financial burden because of the implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission Shri Suresh Prabhu said that we have to work on cutting expenditure and Analyze operational and development issues and make out a strategy to deal with them. Shri Suresh Prabhu emphasized that we should ensure a time bound execution of projects. Station redevelopment is a priority for us. Joint Ventures with states are very much necessary. Railways cannot work only with our own resources. Hence, PPP route should be explored wherever possible. In zonal level, a small team of 2 to 3 people may be formed to deal with station redevelopment, joint ventures, etc. To benefit the states, we have already spoken to World Bank, IDFC, ICICI, etc. to fund the joint venture projects. A Holding company will take over many of the railways’ subsidiaries. We are also working on many ideas to improve the functioning of the railways.

The Ministers also emphasized on the need to adopt hundred percent transparency in the functioning of all aspect of the railways activity. He suggested that all GMs and DRMs should create a Special Cell and create competition among them to foster competition in transparency. He said that with the improved transparency, there would be savings and which can be ploughed back into the system for expansion. In railway workshops also, we must try to bring in a new work culture and make them profitable.

He said that Railways has been taking lot of initiatives for the last two years and we need to put a system in place where every month, all the new initiatives taken by each zone should be put up. The Railway Minister also suggested that we should find a mechanism to make use of the experience of the retired railway officers with a view to get ideas for the improvements in railways functioning.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways & Minister of State for Communication (Independent Charge) Shri Manoj Sinha said that Indian Railways has a glorious history and peoples’ expectations are very high from it. He said that while railways has taken lot of initiatives for improving transparency but there are still some areas where better transparency needs to be ensured. He said that execution of projects which have already been sanctioned and which have assured funding should be executed expeditiously. Expressing concern over inadequate freight loading, the Minister said that we have to work hard to meet our targets. He said that we have already developed Deen Dayalu Coaches for the commonman and we now need to expedite introduction of Antyodya Express Trains for the common men. He also called upon all GMs to pay attention on increasing cases of red signal jumping and derailments which lead to serious safety issues. He said that it is the collective responsibility of the Railway Board and Zonal Railways to undertake project implementation in a time bound manner.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain said that the modernization of the Railways is a joint responsibility of all officers/officials who all need to work as a team. He said that railways officers will have to focus on all those measures which can term it as the best department of the country. He also said that the coaches of the daily passenger trains need to be improved.

IRCTC to introduce optional travel insurance for train passengers

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irctc-indianbureaucracy
irctc-indianbureaucracy

Railway passengers booking their tickets on the IRCTC website will be able to opt for travel insurance cover from September for a premium of just Re 1/-.

IRCTC is set to introduce the new facility for all passengers of Indian Railways who book the e-ticket, excluding sub-urban trains, through its official website, irrespective of the class of the ticket, on a trial basis.

The scheme offers travelers or their families compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability, Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to Rs 2 lakh for hospitalization expenses and Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains in the event of death or injury from a train accident or other ‘untoward incident’ including terrorist attacks, dacoity, rioting, shoot-out or arson, as well as for short termination, diverted route and Vikalp trains. Train accident and untoward incident cases will be as per definition under Sections 123 read with Sections 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, 1989.

The insurance cover is uniform for all classes and the option available through a checkbox at the time of e-ticket booking. The premium amount will be automatically added to the ticket fare if the passenger opts for insurance. After the ticket booking and payment of premium, a message shall be displayed to complete the nomination details, which are necessary to settle the claims on timely basis.

Checking the option will make the coverage mandatory for all passengers booked under that PNR number and the premium charged accordingly. Users wanting coverage for children below five years of age will need to furnish details of the child at the time of booking and accordingly travel insurance premium will be added to the total amount payable.

The passenger will have to provide his/her email id mandatorily for receipt of e-copy of the insurance policy. They will also receive confirmation as a text message from the insurance company, on real time basis.

The coverage will be valid from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station including process of entraining and detraining.  Post accidental medical treatment covers as well as transportation of mortal remains is also provisioned for all insured under the purview of the scheme. In case of diversion of a train, it will be applicable to the diverted route.

In case of cancellation of tickets, IRCTC will make an automatic refund of the premium amount after deduction of administrative charges to the passenger on the same account that was used to book the ticket.

The scheme is being implemented by IRCTC in partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram and Shriram General.

A total of 19 companies participated in the bidding process and 17 were found eligible. The mandatory criteria for technical qualification were that: The insurance company had to be recognized and registered by Insurance Regulatory Development Authority for more than five years, the applicants had to have Pan India presence, with their office in more than 50% of Indian States/UTs, and also in four metropolitan cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai).

The three companies selected will get the insurance policy on a rotation basis from an automated system. IRCTC has engaged the providers for a period of one year, with the provision of extending the contract on a performance basis.

In case of passenger opting for insurance, the claim/liability shall be between passenger and the insurance company. In case of death due to accident 100% of the sum insured will be paid by the company.

The claims intimation should be immediate but not later than four months after the event. The insurance company is required to process the claim and send the cheque to the customer/legal heirwithin 15 days of the receipt of document. It is also required to discuss with the IRCTC Nodal Officer before rejecting any claim.